Recording device, playback device, recording method and playback method

ABSTRACT

A data transmission device transmits a data broadcast using a narrow unused broadcasting band in a digital broadcast, and to record the data broadcast, which has been received, on a receiving side so that the receiving side can play back the data broadcast after a data stream is totally recorded. The transmission device generates a first data stream, which is recorded on a recording medium on a receiving side, and a second data stream including audio and video data, which is transmitted as a broadcasting program. The transmission device multiplexes the first and the second data streams and then transmits the multiplexed data stream. The transmission of the multiplexed data stream is controlled so that a transmission rate for the multiplexed data stream does not exceed the maximum transmission rate, and so that a transmission rate for the first data stream becomes lower than that for the second data stream. A receiving device records the first data stream on the recording medium, and permits the first data stream to be played back for use after the transmission completes.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/832,229, filed Apr. 10,2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,648, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a data transmission device, a datareceiving device, a data transmitting method, and a data receivingmethod, which can be used for digital satellite broadcasts and the likecapable of multiplex transmission of, for example, program broadcastingand data broadcasting.

A satellite broadcast is a broadcast that uses an artificial satellitein an orbit around the earth keeping 36000 km above the earth. Thesatellite broadcast uses broadcasting satellites (BS), or communicationssatellites (CS). Both of the satellite broadcasts can be received usingsimple receiving facilities. Concerning such satellite broadcasts, thesame transmitted wave from one transmission point, that is to say, astationary orbit position, can cover all over the country. Because thesatellite broadcasts can achieve a nationwide broadcast economically andefficiently, the satellite broadcasts provide nationwide popularizationmore easily than terrestrial broadcasting businesses, and at the sametime provide a solution to a blind-spot problem. In Japan, as shown inFIG. 19, the one transmission point comprises seven transponders havinga pair of channels. As channels currently being used, channels 5 and 7are used for WOWOW and NHK1 respectively; and channels 9 and 11 are usedfor Hi-vision and NHK2 respectively.

In the BS broadcast like this, as shown in FIG. 20, MPEG-TS (MPEGTransport Stream) is generated. The MPEG-TS is a multiplexed data streamthat is converted from a data stream including video and audio data at acoding bit rate corresponding to a given transmission rate in a givenbroadcasting band. According to this MPEG-TS, the multiplexed datastream is transmitted in the following order: video data V1, audio dataA1, data D1, video data V2, audio data A2, data D2, . . . .

However, in the satellite broadcasts as described above, if a pluralityof broadcasting programs having different transmission rates aremultiplexed and transmitted, there occurs a problem that the maximumtransmission rate is not utilized effectively.

On the other hand, if the broadcasting programs are transmitted at themaximum transmission rate, another problem arises: when multiplexing andtransmitting various kinds of data as described above at random ratios,some data may not be visualized in real time because units of the datarequired for visualization on a receiving side cannot be transmitted ina block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a data transmissiondevice, a data receiving device, a data transmitting method, and a datareceiving method, which are characterized in that when multiplexingvarious kinds of data and transmitting them, or when dividing thevarious kinds of data into a plurality of bands and transmitting them,said data transmission device, said data receiving device, said datatransmitting method, and said data receiving method are capable oftransmitting the various kinds of data while utilizing a maximumtransmission rate or a maximum bandwidth effectively, and are alsocapable of visualizing the various kinds of data in real time or innon-real time in response to data attributes and the like on a receivingside.

To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a data transmission device including afirst generator for generating a first data stream that is utilizedafter the first data stream is accumulated in a recording medium on areceiving side; second generator for generating a second data streamthat includes audio data and video data; a multiplexer for multiplexingthe first data stream and the second data stream; a transmitter fortransmitting the multiplexed data stream that has been multiplexed bythe multiplexer portion; and a controller for controlling themultiplexer so that a transmission rate for the first data streambecomes lower than that for the second data stream.

With this configuration, in response to a predefined maximumtransmission rate, a transmission rate for the second data stream iskept so that the receiving side can display the second data stream inreal time; and the first data stream, which is utilized after the firstdata stream is accumulated in a recording medium on a receiving side, istransmitted at a transmission rate that does not cause a problem oftransmission of the second data stream. This achieves data transmissionthat makes full use of the maximum transmission rate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda data receiving device including a receiver for receiving a multiplexeddata stream, in which a first data stream, which is utilized after thefirst data stream is accumulated in a recording medium on a receivingside, and a second data stream including audio data and video data aremultiplexed into the multiplexed data stream in such a manner that atransmission rate for the first data stream becomes lower than that forthe second data stream; a separator for separating the multiplexed datastream, which has been received by the receiver, into the first datastream and the second data stream; and a recorder for recording thefirst data stream, which has been separated by the separator, on arecording medium.

With this configuration, the second data stream, to which a sufficienttransmission rate has been given, can be utilized for real-timedisplaying and the like. On the other hand, the first data stream, whichhas been multiplexed at a transmission rate lower than that of thesecond data stream, can be utilized after the first data stream isaccumulated in a recording medium, that is, at the time when requiredunits of data are accumulated. Therefore, data transmission making fulluse of the maximum transmission rate can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda transmission device including transmitting means for transmitting adata stream, which includes audio data and video data, using a programbroadcasting band, and transmitting a data stream, which is utilizedafter this data stream is accumulated in a recording media on areceiving side, by allocating this data stream to a data broadcastingband; and controlling means for controlling the program broadcastingband and the data broadcasting band so that a sum of the bands does notexceed a given bandwidth.

With this configuration, the data stream including audio data and videodata, which is transmitted using the program broadcasting band, can beutilized on the receiving side in real time; and the data stream to betransmitted using the data broadcasting band can be utilized after thisdata stream is accumulated in a recording media on the receiving side.Therefore, two kinds of data streams can be transmitted using the givenbandwidth effectively.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda receiving device including receiving means for receiving a broadcastin which a data stream including audio data and video data istransmitted using a program broadcasting band and other data stream,which is utilized after this data stream is accumulated in a recordingmedia on a receiving side, is transmitted using a data broadcasting bandto which this data stream is allocated, and the program broadcastingband and the data broadcasting band are controlled so that a sum of thebands does not exceed a given bandwidth; separating means for separatingthe data stream, which has been allocated to the data broadcasting band,from the broadcast that has been received by the receiving means; andrecording means for recording the separated data stream.

With this configuration, data stream in the program broadcasting bandcan be utilized for real-time displaying and the like; and the datastream in the data broadcasting band can be utilized after this datastream is accumulated in a recording medium, that is, at the time whenrequired units of data are accumulated. This achieves data transmissionthat makes full use of the maximum transmission rate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda data transmitting method including the step of generating a first datastream that is utilized after the first data stream is accumulated in arecording medium on a receiving side; generating a second data streamthat includes audio data and video data; and transmitting a multiplexeddata stream that has been multiplexed from the first data stream and thesecond data stream; wherein said multiplexed data stream is multiplexedin such a manner that a transmission rate for the first data streambecomes lower than that for the second data stream.

With this configuration, in response to a predefined maximumtransmission rate, a transmission rate for the second data stream iskept so that the receiving side can display the second data stream inreal time; and the first data stream, which is utilized after the firstdata stream is accumulated in a recording medium on a receiving side,can be transmitted at a transmission rate that does not cause a problemof transmission of the second data stream. Therefore, this achieves datatransmission that makes full use of the maximum transmission rate.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda data receiving method including the step of receiving a multiplexeddata stream that is multiplexed from a first data stream, which isutilized after the first data stream is accumulated in a recordingmedium on a receiving side, and a second data stream including audiodata and video data in such a manner that a transmission rate for thefirst data stream becomes lower than that for the second data stream,separating the multiplexed data stream, which has been received, intothe first data stream and the second data stream; and recording thefirst data stream, which has been separated, on a recording medium.

With this configuration, the second data stream, to which a sufficienttransmission rate has been given, can be utilized for real-timedisplaying and the like. On the other hand, the first data stream, whichhas been multiplexed at a transmission rate lower than that of thesecond data stream, can be utilized after the first data stream isaccumulated in a recording medium, that is, at the time when requiredunits of data are accumulated. Therefore, data transmission making fulluse of the maximum transmission rate can be achieved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a transmitting method including the step of transmitting a datastream including audio data and video data, using a program broadcastingband, and transmitting other data stream, which is utilized after thisdata stream is accumulated in a recording media on a receiving side, byallocating this data stream to a data broadcasting band; and controllingthe program broadcasting band and the data broadcasting band so that asum of the bands does not exceed a given bandwidth.

With this configuration, the data stream including audio data and videodata, which is transmitted using the program broadcasting band, can beutilized on the receiving side in real time; and the data stream to betransmitted using the data broadcasting band can be utilized after thisdata stream is accumulated in a recording media on the receiving side.Therefore, two kinds of data streams can be transmitted using the givenbandwidth effectively.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda receiving method including the step of receiving a broadcast in whicha data stream including audio data and video data is transmitted using aprogram broadcasting band and other data stream, which is utilized afterthis data stream is accumulated in a recording media on a receivingside, is transmitted using a data broadcasting band to which this datastream is allocated, and the program broadcasting band and the databroadcasting band are controlled so that a sum of the bands does notexceed a given bandwidth, and recording the data stream, which has beenallocated to the data broadcasting band, from the broadcast received bythe receiving step.

With this configuration, the data stream in the program broadcastingband can be utilized for real-time displaying and the like; and the datastream in the data broadcasting band can be utilized after this datastream is accumulated in a recording medium, that is, at the time whenrequired units of data are accumulated. This achieves data transmissionthat makes full use of the maximum transmission rate.

According to an ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda recording device including inputting means for inputting at least adata stream that is multiplexed from the first data stream includingaudio and video data, and from the second data stream including audioand video data transmitted as a broadcasting program; separating meansfor separating the multiplexed data stream into the first data streamand the second data stream; recording medium on which the first and thesecond separated data streams are recorded; playback means for playingback the first data stream that has been recorded on the recordingmedium; and record controlling means for controlling a given area of therecording medium so that only the first data stream is permitted to berecorded on the given area.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to reserve an area, whichcan be used by users in advance freely. In addition to it, a providercan also allow the users to download contents freely.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provide arecording device including inputting means for inputting at least a datastream that is multiplexed from the first data stream including audioand video data, and the second data stream including audio and videodata transmitted as a broadcasting program; separating means forseparating the multiplexed data stream into the first data stream andthe second data stream; recording medium on which the first and thesecond separated data streams are recorded; playback means for playingback the first data stream that has been recorded on the recordingmedium; and record controlling means for controlling a given area of therecording medium so that only the first data stream is permitted to berecorded on the given area; wherein an area of said recording media isdivided into a provider-specific area and an user-specific area.

With this configuration, dividing the recording medium into the providerarea and the user area provides an advantage that those areas can beused freely without mutual interference.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a playback device comprising a recording medium for recordingat least the first data stream including audio and video data, and thesecond data stream including audio and video data, which is transmittedas a broadcasting program; and a playback control means for playing backthe first data stream that is recorded on a predefined area of therecording medium.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to reserve an area, whichcan be used by users in advance freely. In addition to it, a providercan also allow the users to download contents freely.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording method including the step of inputting at least adata stream that is multiplexed from a first data stream including audioand video data, and a second data stream including audio and video datatransmitted as a broadcasting program; separating the multiplexed datastream into the first data stream and the second data stream; recordingthe first and the second separated data streams on a given recordingmedium; playing back the first data stream that has been recorded on therecording medium; and controlling a given area of the recording mediumso that only the first data stream is permitted to be recorded on thegiven area.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to reserve an area, whichcan be used by users in advance freely. In addition to it, a providercan also allow the users to download contents freely.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a playback method including the step of recording at least afirst data stream including audio and video data, and a second datastream including audio and video data, which is transmitted as abroadcasting program, on a recording medium; and playing back the firstdata stream that is recorded on a predefined area of the recordingmedium.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to reserve an area, whichcan be used by users in advance freely. In addition to it, a providercan also allow the users to play back contents and the like, which havebeen written freely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a brief configuration diagram illustrating operation of a BSstation for constructing a satellite broadcasting system that is used inan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a brief conceptual diagram illustrating an EC platformcomprising the BS station shown in FIG. 1, which combines contents,radio waves/transmission paths, and terminal equipment organically;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions and a businessstructure of the BS station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a brief conceptual diagram illustrating a business model ofthe BS station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of commodities andservices in relation to the BS station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of money in relation tothe BS station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a brief configuration diagram illustrating adigital-broadcasting transmission device and a digital-broadcastingreceiving device in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a broadcastingband assigned to one broadcasting company in the embodiment shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an assignment oftransmission rates used in a BS digital broadcast shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of aMPEG decoder portion in the digital transmission device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of arecording playback portion in the digital receiving device shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example ofthe recording playback portion in the digital receiving device shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a screen,which displays animation, in the digital receiving device shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a screenfor ordering commodities in the digital receiving device shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a screenfor confirming a purchase of commodities in the digital receiving deviceshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example ofthe recording playback portion in the digital receiving device shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of aHDD shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how a disk shown in FIG.17 is divided;

FIG. 19 is a brief explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration ofMPEG-TS; and

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating operation of transpondersof an artificial satellite used for satellite broadcasts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of a satellite-broadcast business management system, towhich a business management method and a business management deviceaccording to the present invention are applied, will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the satellite-broadcastbusiness management system according to the embodiments.

This business management system comprises BS stations 10A to 10D assatellite-broadcasting companies that deliver video contents using forexample a satellite broadcast as an existing BS system; and a televisionreceiver 11 that is capable of receiving and displaying the videocontents delivered by the BS stations 10A to 10D. By the way, in FIG. 1,a shaded portion in each of the BS stations from 10A to 10D is a portionthat performs transmission in a data broadcasting band. In addition, arecording medium (in this embodiment, a hard disk 13 having recordingcapacity of 36 GB) for recording a BS data broadcast is connected to thetelevision receiver 11. In this connection, when a transmission rate ofthe broadcast is 4 Mbps (SD) for example, the hard disk 13 havingrecording capacity of 36 GB is capable of recording the broadcast for 20hours.

Moreover, this system also comprises an EC platform 14 that provides aBS station with the supplied video contents and e-shop companyinformation.

As shown in FIG. 2, this EC platform 14 has a function of combining amedia provider 20, terminal equipment 21, contents 22, and radiowaves/transmission paths 23 organically. The media provider 20 comprisesan Internet provider, a BS station, and the like. The terminal equipment21 comprises a television receiver 11, information equipment (such as apersonal computer), a cellular phone, a wire telephone, and the like.The contents 22 range over many genres including music, life-insuranceinformation, movies, banking information, broadcasting programs. Theradio waves/transmission paths 23 have a configuration that covers BSdata, CS, cables, and the like totally.

Furthermore, this system can complement a 110-degree CS station 19 infuture as necessary. This 110-degree CS station 19 performs a CS databroadcast at 52 Mbps for example.

A BS station 15 has the following functions organizing and transmittingan accumulation-type broadcast; customer authentication; settlement of abill; delivering and managing a hard disk; customer support; networkgateway; and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, its business structure isbased on investment from a broadcasting company 25 and ahome-electrical-products manufacturer 26. Between the BS station 15 andthe broadcasting company 25, a given broadcasting band (in theembodiment, about 2 Mbps) is provided. Services such as video contentsand e-commerce information are provided using the band of about 2 Mbps.

In addition, the BS station 15 is provided with a recording medium (inthe embodiment, a hard-disk recording device) for accumulating BS data,which is supplied to consumer free of charge or at a price lower thancost, by the home-electrical-products manufacturer 26. In exchange forthe recording medium, the BS station 15 pays subsidy to thehome-electrical-products manufacturer 26.

Moreover, on an audience side, there are a television receiver 11comprising a dedicated recording medium (hard disk), which is capable ofreceiving a BS data broadcast and accumulating it temporarily, on boardor separately. After receiving the BS data broadcast provided by the BSstation, the BS data broadcast can be recorded on this recording medium.Regarding the recording medium, data is recorded in FIFO method; morespecifically, the oldest recorded data is deleted first in order torecord new data. Furthermore, the recording medium permits the BS databroadcast, which has been received and accumulated temporarily, to beselected at pleasure for viewing.

To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 3, if a menu screen 1A of‘bs-station.com’ is selected, selecting one from genres including‘Today's highlights’, ‘Shopping’, ‘Business/money’, ‘Sports’,‘Journeys’, ‘Entertainment’, ‘News and weather forecast’, ‘Games’, and‘Living’ accesses the BS data, which is currently accumulated in therecording media, to view the desired information. If ‘Shopping’ isselected, it is possible to view and purchase a commodity. This point isdescribed in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 4, a business model of the BS station, which has thefunctions and the business form as described above, includes atechnology platform 31 that solves technical problems, a manufacturer 32that produces television receivers capable of supporting hard disks, auser 33 who is charged for membership, an infrastructure company 34 thatmanages memberships, an EC e-shop 35 that promotes e-commerce, acontents supplier 36 that supplies various contents, a broadcastingstation 30 that transmits contents in a band of about 2 Mbps.

The technology platform 31 supplies the manufacturer 32 with a HDDcontrol technology (the HDD (hard disk drive), in which BS data isaccumulated, is connected to the television receiver), an encryptiontechnology, authentication and billing technologies, and a metadatacontrol technology. Moreover, the technology platform 31 gives licensesfor those technologies to the BS station 15 and receives license feesfrom the manufacturer 32 to make both ends meet.

The meta-data control technology is a control technology that makes amassed group of data and plays it back for use, if a HDD of thereceiving device accumulates data broadcasts that are broadcasted usingan empty band from a range of broadcasting band possessed by thebroadcasting station. Moreover, there are various functions from theviewpoint of software: excerpting data broadcasts, which suits thepreferences of each user, to accumulate them; and accumulatinginformation having a good user-selection rate by priority; and others.

Moreover, concerning the data broadcast accumulated in a recordingmedium, when accumulating received data broadcasts successively, it ispossible to control accumulation in such a manner that the oldestaccumulated data broadcast is deleted first in order to accumulate a newdata broadcast if capacity of an accumulation area becomes lower than orequal to a given value.

Manufacturer 32 supplies the user with the television receiver capableof supporting a hard disk and a hard disk module, and makes both endsmeet by obtaining revenue of HDD subsidy and revenue share from the BSstation 15 instead of paying the license fee to the technology platform31.

The user 33 pays membership fee for receiving contents (in this case, BSdata from the broadcasting station) to view them. The infrastructurecompany 34 carries out businesses for the BS station 15, morespecifically, carries out membership management business, transactionprocessing, and key management business in place of the BS station 15.

The EC e-shop company 35 can establish an environment, which enables avirtual shopping, in exchange for paying EC commission and advertisementfee to the BS station 15.

The content supplier 36 makes both ends meet by obtaining viewing feefor various contents such as video contents, and music (irrespective ofkinds of contents if they are in the same field) from the BS station 15.

The broadcasting station 30 broadcasts data broadcasts using an assignedbroadcasting band; in the case of BS digital broadcast, it is an emptybroadcasting band (for example, 2 Mbps) in a broadcasting band of 24Mbps. This data-broadcast band varies according to a broadcastingprogram.

The BS station 15 makes both ends meet by returning the revenue share inaddition to the viewing fee and band fee to the broadcasting station.

Next, actual flows of commodities and services as well as a flow ofmoney in the business model of the BS station having the configurationas described above are described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flow of commodities and services includes thefollowing: (1) the technology platform makes a license agreement with anequipment manufacturer; and (2) the technology platform also makes alicense agreement with an accumulation broadcasting company thatconstructs a BS station.

(3) The equipment manufacturer delivers equipment to a customer who hasapplied for a data broadcast. This equipment is a television receiver inwhich a HDD is built, or a television receiver equipped with a HDD. Thisequipment is equipped with a recording medium capable of accumulatingthe data broadcast, and has software capable of controlling and playingback this accumulated data broadcast.

In addition, this equipment is provided free of charge or at a lowprice. Because main purposes are content fee and virtual shoppingresulting from using accumulated data broadcast, a profit from theequipment itself is minimized.

(4) The EC e-shop, which provides virtual shopping, supplies a contentsupplier with commodities and advertisement.

(5) The content supplier supplies the accumulation broadcasting companywith contents.

(6) When the accumulation broadcasting company accepts video contentsand contents for e-commerce from the contents supplier, the accumulationbroadcasting company sends a data broadcasting program containing thesecontents to a broadcasting licensed company (BS station or broadcastingstation).

(7) After the broadcasting licensed company receives the data broadcastfrom the accumulation broadcasting company, the broadcasting licensedcompany broadcasts the data broadcast using an empty broadcasting bandof broadcasting programs (WOWOW, NHK1, NHK2) that are broadcasted in abroadcasting band of 24 Mbps.

(8) When the equipment on the customer side receives this databroadcast, the equipment reconstructs the data broadcast to one contentsdata and accumulates it, and permits desired contents to be viewed bymenu operation. These contents viewed are sent to a communicationcompany as viewing history data.

(9) When the communication company receives the viewing history datafrom the customer, the communication company permits data broadcasts,which are viewed now and have been viewed in the past, to be extracted,and then transmits each customer's viewing history data to theinfrastructure company.

(10) When the infrastructure company receives the viewing history datafrom the communication company, the infrastructure company extractscontents, their genres, and the like, which are viewed by each customerby choice, using the viewing history data. After that, theinfrastructure company generates customer data and sends them to theaccumulation broadcasting company. The accumulation broadcasting companyselects programs having high current audience share, and also selectscontents of e-commerce, based on the customer data. After that, theaccumulation broadcasting company organizes a broadcasting program, andthen sends this data broadcast to the broadcasting licensed company.This enables transmittance of only data broadcasts that suit customer'sneeds. As a result, substantial contents can be supplied.

Next, a flow of money resulting from the above-mentioned flow ofcommodities and services is described with reference to FIG. 6.

First of all, (1) the customer views the data broadcast of theaccumulation broadcasting company. Then, a membership is registered inorder to do virtual shopping by e-commerce included in the databroadcast. As a result, a monthly membership fee that consists ofmonthly fixed expenditures, an additional service fee (charged whenallowed hours of use is exceeded, for example), and the like are paid tothe accumulation broadcasting company.

(2) The accumulation broadcasting company pays HDD subsidy and ECrevenue share, which is returned as a given profit, to the equipmentmanufacturer that supplies the customer with equipment for enabling thecustomer having membership to view data broadcasts—to be more specific,a television receiver having a recording medium capable of accumulatingthe data broadcasts, or equipment consisting of a recording medium thatcan be connected to a television receiver.

(3) The accumulation broadcasting company pays a contents feecommensurate with the contents to the contents supplier who makes videocontents and contents for performing e-commerce.

(4) The accumulation broadcasting company pays a band fee to thebroadcasting licensed company for the purpose of broadcasting the databroadcast.

(5) The accumulation broadcasting company pays business commission andEC revenue share, which is returned as a given profit, to theinfrastructure company that carries out various surrogate businesses.

(6) The infrastructure company pays a line fee to the communicationcompany.

(7) The accumulation broadcasting company pays a license fee to thetechnology platform.

(8) The equipment manufacturer pays a license fee to the technologyplatform.

(9) The EC e-shops pay an e-shop fee and an advertisement fee to thecontents supplier.

(10) The EC e-shops pay EC commission, e-shop commission, and anadvertisement fee to the accumulation broadcasting company EC.

A business management method for managing the flow of money as describedabove to calculate profits, and for returning the profits to companiesand users, which are related to the accumulation broadcasting company,as appropriate, is described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The accumulation broadcasting company manages the flow of money by abusiness management device. The business management device includesinputting means for providing payments-balance information and controlmeans for controlling the payments-balance so that part of profits isreturned to the service or the advertisement fee. The part of theprofits to be returned is obtained based on a cost required to providethe user with a recording device corresponding to contents that aresupplied for the user by a delivery company, a use fee for contents paidby this user, and a charge obtained from given services and/oradvertisement included in the contents.

Using this business management device, the accumulation broadcastingcompany calculates balance of payments from a cost required to providethe user with a television receiver having a HDD built-in or atelevision receiver equipped with the HDD as a recording devicecorresponding to contents such as virtual shops (those televisionreceivers are provided for the user by the equipment manufacturer as anequipment delivery company); a monthly membership fee and an additionalservice fee, and the like that are use fees of contents delivered by avirtual shop, and that are paid by the users to whom the equipment isprovided; and EC sales commission, exhibition fee, advertisement fee,and the like, equivalent to a charge obtained from the given service orthe advertisement included in this contents. The accumulationbroadcasting company controls the part of the profits to be returned tothe service or the advertisement fee according to the profits.

For example, if the accumulation broadcasting company controls the partof the profits to be returned to the equipment (producing) manufacturerof the recording device according to the profits, a given amount ofmoney is returned to the equipment manufacturer as EC revenue share. Inthis case said amount is determined by managing means for managing thenumber of the recording devices that have been provided to the users,and that correspond to contents supplied to the user by the deliverycompany, and determining means for determining a charge, which is paidto the given service or the advertisement included in the contents,according to the number of the recording devices.

Using such a business management device, distribution of the businessprofit is managed, and a part of the business profits is returned to themonthly membership fee and the additional service fee, which areequivalent to EC revenue share of the equipment (producing) manufacturerof the recording devices and the contents use fee paid by the user.

A business management system like this can be applied not only tosatellite broadcasts but also to digital broadcasts that can bemultiplexed with a data broadcast.

Next, a transmission device and a receiving device, for handlingmultiplexed data, and also a method for transmitting and receivingmultiplexed data, which are shown in embodiments of the presentinvention, are described using a digital-broadcasting transmissiondevice and a digital-broadcasting receiving device used in the businessmanagement system of BS digital broadcast as described above.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of thedigital-broadcasting transmission device and the digital-broadcastingreceiving (recording) device of this embodiment.

The digital-broadcasting transmission device 110 includes at least afirst data-stream generating portion 111 for generating a first datastream that includes audio and video data, a second data-streaminputting portion 112 for receiving a second data stream including audioand video data, which is transmitted as a broadcasting program, amultiplexer 113 for multiplexing the first data stream and the seconddata stream, an outputting portion 114 for outputting the multiplexeddata stream, and a multiplexing control portion 115 for controllingmultiplexing so that a transmission rate of the first data streambecomes lower than a coding bit rate of the first data stream.

A digital-broadcasting receiving device 130 includes a data-streamreceiving portion 131 for receiving a data stream that is multiplexedfrom the first data stream including at least audio and video data,which has been generated and transmitted in the digital-broadcastingtransmission device 110, and the second data stream including audio andvideo data, which is transmitted as a broadcasting program, and that ismultiplexed in such a manner that the transmission rate of the firstdata stream becomes lower than the coding bit rate of the first datastream.

The digital-broadcasting receiving device 130 further includes adata-stream separating portion 132 for separating the data stream, whichhas been received by the data-stream receiving portion 131, into thefirst data stream and the second data stream, a recording portion 133for recording the separated data streams, a playback portion 134 forplaying back those recorded data streams, and a playback control portion135 for controlling playback so that, when said playback portion 134records the first data stream, playback of the first data stream becomespossible after the first data stream is totally recorded.

The first data-stream generating portion 111 is configured to generatethe first data stream from at least video and audio contents and/orcontents for e-commerce. As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission rateassigned for this first data stream is about 2 Mbps, which isconsiderably narrow, whereas a broadcasting band for the first and thesecond data streams has 24 Mbps as the maximum transmission rate.

To be more specific, a broadcasting band assigned for one broadcastingcompany has 24 Mbps in total, which consists of, for example, databroadcast corresponding to the first data stream, television broadcastcorresponding to the second data stream, extra broadcast, radio andothers.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a transmission rate used for the databroadcast corresponding to the first data stream is about 2 Mbps, whichis the remainder of the transmission rate required when one broadcastingcompany transmits television programs 1, 2, 3 by multiplexing them.Making full use of this transmission rate of about 2 Mbps, the databroadcast (the first data stream) is multiplexed with the televisionbroadcast (the second data stream) to be transmitted.

Next, a specific configuration of an encoder of the transmission device110, which multiplexes the data broadcast with the television broadcastwith compression and transmits it in response to this transmission rateof the data broadcast, is described with reference to FIG. 10.

The encoder includes a second data-stream inputting portion 112 forinputting video and audio data, which are transmitted as a broadcastingprogram of BS digital broadcast, a first data-stream generating portion111 for inputting video (images) and audio (voice) data of the databroadcast, a multiplexer 113 for multiplexing the first and the seconddata streams, a multiplexing control portion 115 for controllingmultiplexing, an outputting portion 114 for outputting the multiplexeddata stream, and an interface 116 that corresponds to teletextbroadcasting.

The second data-stream inputting portion 112 includes a video interface117 a and an audio interface 117 b that input video and audio data,respectively, and a video compressor 118 a and an audio compressor 118 bthat compress the inputted data from those interfaces 117 a and 117 brespectively by means of, for example, MPEG method.

The first data-stream generating portion 111 includes a video interface117 c and an audio interface 117 d that input image and voice data,respectively, and a video compressor 118 c and an audio compressor 118 dthat compress the inputted data from those interfaces 117 c and 117 d,respectively.

The multiplexer 113 includes a primary multiplexer 113 a and a secondarymultiplexer 113 b. The primary multiplexer 113 a multiplexes thecompresses data broadcast, that is to say, the first data stream. Inthis case, the first data stream is multiplexed at a coding rate of 4Mbps in the embodiment.

On the other hand, the secondary multiplexer 113 b multiplexes the firstdata stream (data broadcast) having a coding rate of 4 Mbps into thesecond data steam (television broadcast) by changing a transmission rateof the first data stream to about 2 Mbps.

The multiplexing control portion 115 controls the above-mentionedmultiplexing so that the first data stream having a coding rate of 4Mbps is multiplexed at a transmission rate of 2 Mbps. To be morespecific, although the first data stream has the coding rate of 4 Mbpsoriginally, the first data stream is controlled so that a coding rateafter multiplexing becomes 2 Mbps, which is lower than the originalcoding rate. In other words, it becomes twice as slow as the originalcoding rate if it is calculated in time base. In this manner, bycontrolling the first data stream (data broadcast) so that it istransmitted at a rate lower than the original coding rate, it ispossible to transmit the first data stream at the narrow-bandtransmission rate that has been obtained.

Next, one of specific configurations of the receiving device 130 forreceiving the first and the second data streams, which have beenMPEG-encoded and multiplexed, is described with reference to FIG. 11.

This receiving device is configured as a hard disk recorder, whichincludes a second data-stream receiving portion 131 a that receives thesecond data stream (television broadcast) by separating it from anantenna, and a first data-stream receiving portion 131 b that receivesthe first data stream (data broadcast). The second data-stream receivingportion 131 a and the first data-stream receiving portion 131 b areconnected to a first data-stream playback control portion 125, the firstdata-stream recording portion 133, and the first data-stream playbackportion 134 via a system bus B.

The second data-stream receiving portion 131 a includes a tuner 135 acapable of receiving the second data stream (television broadcast), adigital demodulation circuit 136 a for demodulating a signal received bythis tuner 135 a, and an error-correction circuits 137 a for correctingan error. Image and voice data of the demodulated data broadcast aredemultiplexed by demultiplexer 138, and are supplied to the system busB. As a result, the data can be output to a television receiver (TV) asappropriate.

The first data-stream receiving portion 131 b includes a tuner 135 bcapable of receiving the first data stream (data broadcast) having atransmission rate of about 2 Mbps, a digital demodulation circuit 136 bfor demodulating a signal received by this tuner 135 b, and anerror-correction circuit 137 b for correcting an error. This demodulatedfirst data stream (data broadcast) is recorded in the recording portion133.

The recording portion 133 has a hard disk (HDD) with recording capacityof about 38 GB, and is controlled so that it records only the first datastream (data broadcast). In this connection, the recording capacity ofthe hard disk is not limited to 38 GB. As a matter of course, it'ssetting can be changed as appropriate. If the hard disk has 38 GB forthe recording capacity, and when a transmission rate is 4 Mbps, the harddisk can record the data for about 20 hours. This hard disk (HDD) may bebuilt into, or added externally to, the television receiver (TV).

In addition, the recording portion 133 is controlled so that a genre(field) with a high viewing frequency is recorded by priority; or it iscontrolled so that a first data stream in a genre specified beforehandis recorded for preference.

For example, by processing users' viewing history statistically, it ispossible to determine the genre with a high viewing frequencyperiodically. In response to a result of the determination, the firstdata stream in the genre can be recorded for preference. Alternatively,by using a mode setting for allowing a user to select a desired genre,it is possible to record the first data stream in the desired genre inresponse to a result of the selection.

As genres used here, the following can be used: classification relatingto program contents including, for example, ‘Movies’, ‘Music’, ‘Sports’,‘News’ and ‘Documents’; classification relating to attributes ofelectronic-commerce commodities including, for example, ‘Apparel’,‘Foods’, and ‘Events’; and others.

The playback control portion 125 includes a central processing unit(CPU), and controls the playback portion 134 so that playback of thefirst data stream (data broadcast) becomes possible after the first datastream is totally recorded.

The playback portion 134 has a MPEG decoder 134 a and an OSD (On ScreenDisplay) 134 b, and outputs image and voice data of the first datastream (data broadcast) to the television receiver (TV).

In this manner, the first data stream (data broadcast), which istransmitted from the transmission device at an extremely narrow-bandtransmission rate, is recorded on the hard disk as a recording medium.In this connection, playback of the first data stream becomes possibleafter the first data stream is totally recorded. As a result, althoughthe transmission rate is lower than the original coding rate, it ispossible to display the first data stream normally without interruption.

Next, another receiving device in the embodiment is described withreference to FIG. 12.

This receiving device is configured as a hard-disk recorder having afirst and a second charging (CAS) functions. In the followingexplanation, operation procedures on a user side in addition to aconfiguration and operation of the hard-disk recorder are described.

This hard-disk recorder receives a digital broadcasting signal using anoutside satellite antenna. After that, the hard-disk recorder inputs anintermediate-frequency signal, which has been converted by a converterof the satellite antenna, to digital tuners 211 a and 211 b ofdata-stream receiving portions 210 a and 210 b of a front-end portion,respectively.

The digital tuners 211 a and 211 b convert the inputted intermediatefrequency signals into base band signals, and then output the convertedsignals to digital demodulation circuits 212 a and 212 b, respectively.The digital demodulation circuits 212 a and 212 b demodulate theinputted signal, and then output the demodulated signal toerror-correction circuits 213 a and 213 b, respectively.

The error-correction circuits 213 a and 213 b correct an error of thedemodulated data, which has been input from the digital demodulationcircuits 212 a and 212 b, and then output the corrected data todemultiplexers 221 a and 221 b, respectively.

The demultiplexers 221 a and 221 b select a stream from one inputtedtransmission channel according to a user's instruction, and then outputthe selected stream to first CAS portions 222 a and 222 b.

The first CAS portions 222 a and 222 b descramble a cryptogram of thestream, which has-been supplied from the demultiplexer 221 a and 221 b,respectively, according to a key stored in an IC card 224 inserted in anIC-card interface 223. If recording is instructed, the first CASportions 222 a and 222 b supply the stream to a hard disk drive 226 viaa system bus 225.

Moreover, if real-time viewing is instructed, outputs of the first CASportions 222 a and 222 b are supplied to a second CAS portion 227.

The second CAS portion 227 accesses a given server through a key storedbeforehand (public key) or a cellular phone module 228. When theinputted stream is encrypted, the second CAS portion 227 decodes(descrambles) the cryptogram according to the obtained key (public key),and then outputs it to a MPEG decoder 229.

The MPEG decoder 229 decodes the inputted stream by means of MPEGmethod, supplies image signals to OSD (On Screen Display) circuits 230,multiplexes image and text data based on a given OSD data, and thenoutputs the data to a display device for displaying them. In addition,the audio signal, which has been output from the MPEG decoder 229, isoutput to a speaker, and the like.

By the way, if a plurality of digital tuners are equipped, theprocessing described above can be performed on different channels at thesame time; or different streams can be recorded at the same time.

A CPU 231 controls operation of each portion described above in responseto a user's instruction. A flash memory 232 stores various kinds of dataand programs as necessary.

When the user uses EPG (Electronic Program Guide) to instruct thatviewing and recording are performed, program specifying information,such as a broadcasting-station identifier and a program identifierincluded in the EPG data, is checked whether the information is matchedwith data including a network identification descriptor, apartial-transport-stream time descriptor, and a broadcasting IDdescriptor in SIT (Selection Information Table) transmitted togetherwith the stream. Then, PID (Packet Identifier) of a required stream issupplied to a demultiplexer circuit. As a result, filtering becomespossible.

If the received stream is a billing object, the stream is checkedwhether it is a stream for which billing is required by ECM (EntitlementControl Message) and EMM (Entitlement Management Message) that aretransmitted together with the image and voice stream.

After that, if billing processing is required only for the first CAS,data required by ECM and EMM is output to the IC card through an IC-cardinterface circuit. Then, key information based on a result of processingin the IC card is obtained to perform descrambling in the first CAScircuit.

Moreover, when an order of commodity or service is placed from atelevision screen, the CPU reads out a telephone number of a server tobe connected, which has been stored in the flash memory and the likebeforehand, in response to the commodity or the service selected by theuser, and then instructs the cellular phone module to connect to theserver.

The cellular phone module originates a call to the telephone number tobe connected according to the connection instruction. The cellular phonemodule waits for a connection response from the server to be connected.Once the connection is established, the cellular phone module obtainsinformation about the selected distribution or the selected service fromthe server, and displays it on the display device as necessary. When theuser performs purchase operation, the CPU transmits a purchase-procedureinstruction to the server.

In response to a request from the server, data including adevice-specific number and a user identification number is transmittedfor user authentication. When information notifying completion of thepurchase procedure and its accompanying information are transmitted fromthe server, the information is displayed on the display device asnecessary. After that, when the user performs exiting operation, theconnection of the cellular phone module is disconnected. The CPU storesinformation such as a purchase history in the flash memory and the like.At a future date, the information is used for displaying apurchase-history list in response to a user's request.

Next, playback operation of the first data stream accumulated by thehard-disk recorder as described above is described using schematicdiagrams of display screens shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15.

First of all, contents reproduced in the hard disk are played back. Ifpurchase of commodities or services is allowed, as shown in FIG. 13,icons 311 and 312 are presented for an audience in a screen 300displaying animation for example, which prompts the audience to performpurchase operation.

When the audience presses an operation button for a purchase action atwill (for example, the audience clicks the icon), as shown in FIG. 14, awindow 320 for detail information including commodities and services isdisplayed (a screen shown in FIG. 14 illustrates a display used when CDis purchased).

The user inputs purchase quantity and a payment method and the like toeach of input columns 321, 322 according to a screen in this window 320.Then, the user selects a ‘Purchase’ button 323 to perform the purchaseaction; or selects a “Cancel” button 324 to cancel the purchase action.

Additionally, when the “Purchase” button 323 is selected, paymentprocessing with a bank and a credit company is performed according to amethod specified by the inputted payment method (for example, bankaccount transfer, credit card, etc.).

After completion of this payment processing, commodity, service, or thelike is ordered; stock is checked; information about a delivery date isobtained from a sales company or a distributor; and as shown in FIG. 15,its result is displayed on the screen 300 using a window 330. Afterthat, selecting an “Exit” button 331 exits the purchase processing.

By the way, button display, which imitates colors of four-color keys(blue, red, yellow, and green) used for data broadcast, may be used asthose buttons.

As above, the embodiments according to the present invention aredescribed. The present invention, however, is not limited to theembodiments described above. The present invention can be modifiedfurthermore.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case, where thefirst and the second data streams are multiplexed and transmitted, isdescribed. However, for a system that allocates a similar data stream toa program broadcasting band and a data broadcasting band to transmitthem, it is also possible to achieve a similar effect by controlling atransmission side so that a sum of the program broadcasting band and thedata broadcast band does not exceed a given band width, and by recordingthe data stream for the data broadcasting band on a hard disk on areceiving side for use.

Moreover, as a recording medium, not only a hard disk but also othermedium can be used.

Next, other configurations of the receiving device 130 as a recordingplayback device for receiving the first and the second data streams,which have been MPEG-encoded and multiplexed, is described withreference to FIG. 16.

The receiving device has a second data-stream receiving portion 431 athat receives the second data stream (television broadcast) byseparating it from an antenna, and a first data-stream receiving portion431 b that receives the first data stream (data broadcast). The seconddata-stream receiving portion 431 a and the first data-receiving portion431 b are connected to a control portion 425, a recording portion 433,and a playback portion 434 via a system bus.

The second data-stream receiving portion 431 a includes a tuner 435 acapable of receiving the second data stream (television broadcast), adigital demodulation circuit 436 a for demodulating the signal receivedby this tuner 435 a, and an error-correction circuit 437 a forcorrecting an error. Concerning image and voice data of the databroadcast, which has been demodulated by the second data-streamreceiving portion 431 a, a demultiplexer 438 separates the multiplexedsignal, and the separated data is supplies to the system bus B. As aresult, the data can be output to a television receiver (TV) asappropriate.

The first data-stream receiving portion 431 b includes a tuner 435 bcapable of receiving the first data stream (data broadcast) having atransmission rate of about 2 Mbps, a digital demodulation circuit 436 bfor demodulating a signal received by this tuner 435 b, and anerror-correction circuit 437 b for correcting an error. This demodulatedfirst data stream (data broadcast) is recorded in the recording portion433. This recording portion 433 is controlled so that, when a size of arecording area for the first data stream becomes lower than or equal toa given size or zero during recording, the oldest first data stream (thefirst data stream having the earliest recording date) from among thefirst data streams, which have been recorded, is deleted to record a newfirst data stream. In addition, the recording portion 33 is controlledso that a first data stream in a genre with a high viewing frequency isrecorded for preference. It may also be controlled so that the firstdata stream in a genre specified beforehand is recorded for preference.

The recording portion 433 has a hard disk (HDD) with recording capacityof about 38 GB, and is controlled so that it records the first datastream (data broadcast) and the second data stream. In this connection,the recording capacity of the hard disk is not limited to 38 GB. As amatter of course, its setting can be changed as appropriate. Moreover,this hard disk (HDD) may be built into, or added externally to thetelevision receiver (TV).

The playback control portion 425 has a central processing unit (CPU),and controls the playback portion 434 so that playback of the first datastream (data broadcast) becomes possible after the first data stream istotally recorded. In addition to this, the playback control portion 425controls the second data stream, which has been recorded in therecording portion 433, so that it is played back.

The playback portion 434 includes a MPEG decoder and an OSD (On ScreenDisplay), and decodes the second data stream as well as image and voicedata of the first data stream (data broadcast) to output them to thetelevision receiver (TV).

Furthermore, the system bus B is connected to a modem 439 connected to atelephone cable, which is connected to an outside telephone network, anIC card I/F 441, into which an IC card 440 can be inserted, and adigital I/F 442 that can be connected to a network. The IC card 440 isused specially when, in a receiving device 430, an access to e-commerceof the first data stream (data broadcast) recorded in the HDD 433becomes chargeable.

In this manner, the first data stream (data broadcast), which istransmitted from the transmission device at an extremely narrow-bandtransmission rate, is recorded on the hard disk. In this connection,playback of the first data stream becomes possible after the first datastream is totally recorded. As a result, although the transmission rateis lower than the original coding rate, it is possible to display thefirst data stream normally without interruption.

A hard-disk drive (HDD) 33, which is a recording portion, includes a HDDunit 450 as shown in FIG. 17. The HDD unit 450 includes a disk 451 as arecording medium, ahead 452 for reading and writing on the disk 451, anamplifier 453 for amplifying a signal from the head 452, aplayback-channel signal processing circuit 454 for processing thisamplified signal, an amplifier 455 for writing to the disk 451 using thehead 452, a recording-channel signal processing circuit 456; a SPMcontroller 459 for controlling rotation of the disk 451, and acontroller 457 for controlling transmission and reception of a recordingand playback signal to and from the data-stream playback portion 434 viathe system bus B. Here, a provider area and an user area are separatedon the disk 451. In other words, each of the provider area and the userarea is specified beforehand as a specific area.

As shown in FIG. 18, the disk 451, which is a recording medium of theHDD unit 450, is divided into two areas by partitions. The divided areasconstitute the provider area and the user area. The user area is an areathat can be used by users freely. The user area is, for example, usedfor storing the second data stream that has been received; image andvoice data including an input from outside that is not shown in thediagram; and AV applications. For example, the user area can be used forsimple reservation from EPG (electronic program guide), automaticrecording and playback of recommended programs, and the like. In theprovider area, in the embodiment, contents of the first data stream aremainly recorded. More specifically, the provider area is used for:performing download for provider; downloading contents including music,video, and games; providing a virtual shopping mall by means ofe-commerce; providing an advertisement such as a virtual showroom;delivering information; and the like. Thus, it is possible to controlthose areas so that one area is privately used and the other area isused for data broadcasts other than television-program broadcasts.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described usingspecific terms, such description is for illustrative purpose only, andit is to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

1. A recording device comprising: receiving device receiving at least adata stream having a predetermined broadcast bandwidth, the data streamincluding (a) a first data stream including audio and video data, thefirst data stream being a data broadcast, and (b) a second data streamincluding audio and video data, the second data stream being multiplexedtelevision broadcasting programs, wherein a bandwidth of the databroadcast being on a remaining broadcast bandwidth of the predeterminedbroadcast bandwidth not used by the television broadcasting programs;separating device separating the multiplexed data stream into the firstdata stream and the second data stream based upon the remainingbroadcast bandwidth and the predetermined broadcast bandwidthrespectively; a recording medium on which both the first and the secondseparated data streams are recorded on different areas of the recordingmedium; playback device playing back the first data stream that has beenrecorded on the recording medium; and record controlling devicecontrolling a given area of the recording medium so that only the firstdata stream is permitted to be recorded on the given area; wherein anarea of said recording medium is divided into a provider-specific areaas the given area and a user-specific area as remaining areas of therecording medium.
 2. A recording device according to claim 1, whereinsaid receiving device receives a data stream, which is multiplexed insuch a manner that a transmission rate of the first data stream becomeslower than a coding bit rate of the first data stream.
 3. A recordingdevice according to claim 1, wherein said record controlling devicecontrols recording so that, when a size of a recording area becomeslower than or equal to a given size or zero, the oldest first datastream from among the first data steams, which have been recorded, isdeleted to record a new first data stream.
 4. A recording deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said first data stream comprises at leastimage and voice contents and/or contents for e-commerce.
 5. A recordingdevice according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a harddisk that is built into, or added externally to a television receiver.6. A recording device according to claim 5, wherein said hard disk hasrecording capacity of at least 36 GB.
 7. A recording device according toclaim 1, wherein a transmission rate for said first data stream is about2 Mbps, whereas a maximum transmission rate for the first and the seconddata streams is 24 Mbps.
 8. A recording device according to claim 1,wherein said record controlling device controls recording so that afirst data stream, which is in a genre with a high viewing frequency, isrecorded for preference.
 9. A recording device according to claim 1,wherein said record controlling device controls recording so that afirst data stream, which is in a genre specified beforehand, is recordedfor preference.
 10. A playback device comprising: a recording devicerecording on a recording medium at least (a) a first data streamincluding audio and video data only in a predefined area of therecording medium, the first data stream being a data broadcast, and (b)a second data stream including audio and video data, the second datastream being on a predetermined broadcast bandwidth as multiplexedtelevision broadcasting programs and the second data stream is recordedin remaining areas of the recording medium, wherein a bandwidth of thedata broadcast being on a remaining broadcast bandwidth of thepredetermined broadcast bandwidth not used by the televisionbroadcasting programs; and a playback control device playing back thefirst data stream that is recorded only on the predefined area of therecording medium, wherein the predetermined area of the recording mediumbeing a provider-specific area and the remaining areas of the recordingmedium being a user-specific area.
 11. A playback device according toclaim 10, wherein said first data stream comprises at least video andaudio contents and/or contents for e-commerce.
 12. A playback deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein said recording medium is a hard disk thatis built into, or added externally to a television receiver.
 13. Aplayback device according to claim 12, wherein said hard disk hasrecording capacity of at least 36 GB.
 14. A recording method of arecording device comprising the step of: inputting at least a datastream having a predetermined broadcast bandwidth, the data streamincluding (a) a first data stream including audio and video data, thefirst data stream being a data broadcast and (b) a second data streamincluding audio and video data, the second data stream being multiplexedtelevision broadcasting programs, wherein a bandwidth of the databroadcast being on a remaining broadcast bandwidth of the predeterminedbroadcast bandwidth not used by the television broadcasting programs;separating the multiplexed data stream into the first data stream andthe second data stream based upon the remaining broadcast bandwidth andthe predetermined broadcast bandwidth respectively; recording both thefirst and the second separated data streams in different areas on agiven recording medium; playing back the first data stream that has beenrecorded on the recording medium; and controlling a given area of therecording medium so that only the first data stream is permitted to berecorded on the given area, wherein the given area of the recordingmedium being a provider-specific area and remaining area of therecording medium being a user-specific area.
 15. A recording methodaccording to claim 14, comprising the additional step of inputting adata stream, which is multiplexed in such a manner that a transmissionrate of the first data stream becomes lower than a coding bit rate ofthe first data stream.
 16. A recording method according to claim 14,comprising the additional step of recording a first data stream in sucha manner that, when a size of a recording area in said recording mediumbecomes lower than or equal to a given size or zero, the oldest firstdata stream from among the first data steams, which have been recorded,is deleted to record a new first data stream.
 17. A recording methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said first data stream comprises at leastimage and voice contents and/or contents for e-commerce.
 18. A recordingmethod according to claim 14, wherein said recording medium is a harddisk that is built into, or added externally to a television receiver.19. A recording method according to claim 18, wherein said hard disk hasrecording capacity of at least 36 GB.
 20. A recording method accordingto claim 14, wherein a transmission rate for said first data stream isabout 2 Mbps, whereas a maximum transmission rate for the first and thesecond data streams is 24 Mbps.
 21. A recording method according toclaim 14, wherein recording on said medium is controlled so that a firstdata stream, which is in a genre with a high viewing frequency, isrecorded for preference.
 22. A recording method according to claim 14,wherein recording on said recording medium is controlled so that a firstdata stream, which is in a genre specified beforehand, is recorded forpreference.
 23. A playback method of a playback device comprising thestep of: recording at least (a) a first data stream including audio andvideo data, the first data stream being a data broadcast and (b) asecond data stream including audio and video data, the second datastream being on a predetermined broadcast bandwidth as multiplexedbroadcasting programs, the first and second data streams are recorded ondifferent areas of a recording medium, wherein a bandwidth of the databroadcast being on a remaining broadcast bandwidth of the predeterminedbroadcast bandwidth not used by the television broadcasting programs;and playing back the first data stream that is recorded only on apredefined area of the recording medium, wherein the predefined area ofthe recording medium being a provider-specific area and remaining areasof the recording medium being a user-specific area.
 24. A playbackmethod according to claim 23, wherein said first data stream comprisesat least image and voice contents and/or contents for e-commerce.
 25. Aplayback method according to claim 23, wherein said recording medium isa hard disk that is built into, or added externally to a televisionreceiver.
 26. A playback method according to claim 25, wherein said harddisk has recording capacity of at least 36 GB.